Mesh Access Point Dynamic Frequency Selection Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mesh networks using dynamic frequency selection (DFS) channels, if only one multi-AP agent detects a radar signal, it executes the DFS flow, causing disconnection and service disruption for other access points, leading to poor user experience.
Innovation Solution
A first access point in a mesh network detects a beacon from a second access point and determines if it belongs to the mesh network. If the beacon includes channel switch announcement information, the first access point configures its transceiver to transmit similar information and switches to a target channel, ensuring all access points in the mesh network switch channels simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If only one multi-AP agent executes the DFS flow upon detecting a radar signal, then the detecting access point can switch channels promptly, but the multi-AP controller continues running on the original DFS channel causing link disconnection and service disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the DFS execution logic from individual access points into a centralized multi-AP controller. When any access point detects a radar signal, it notifies the controller, which then executes the DFS flow centrally and coordinates channel switching across all access points simultaneously. This ensures network-wide connectivity is maintained while still achieving prompt channel switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-AP controller acts as an intermediary between individual access points and the DFS process. Instead of each access point independently executing DFS (causing disconnections), the controller mediates the process by receiving radar detection notifications, executing DFS centrally, and coordinating synchronized channel switching across all access points, thereby maintaining network connectivity.
2Reliability
If all access points in the mesh network switch channels simultaneously using centralized control, then network connectivity is maintained, but the system complexity increases due to centralized DFS execution coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-AP controller is designed with universal functionality to handle DFS execution for the entire mesh network. It can receive radar detection notifications from any access point, execute the DFS flow centrally, and coordinate channel switching across all access points. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into a single controller rather than distributing it across multiple access points.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the DFS execution process: individual access points perform simple radar detection and notify the controller, while the controller handles the complex DFS execution and coordination. This segmentation allows access points to remain simple devices while the controller manages the complexity of centralized DFS coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
A first access point in a mesh network includes a transceiver and a processor. The processor is coupled to the transceiver, and is used to determine whether a second access point transmitting a beacon belongs to the mesh network upon detecting the beacon. If so, the processor is used to determine whether the beacon includes first channel switch announcement information, and if so, configure the transceiver to transmit second channel switch announcement information, and configure the first access point to switch to a target channel. The first channel switch announcement information and the second channel switch announcement information include information of the target channel.